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Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Community-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections in otherwise healthy infants less than 60 days old

Cecilia Torres Day1, Sheldon L Kaplan, Edward O Mason

  • 1From the *Department of Pediatrics, †Sections of Neonatology and ‡Infectious Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
|August 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Community-associated Staphylococcus aureus infections are common in infants. Methicillin-resistant strains were more frequent in skin infections, with USA300 being the predominant type.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Community-associated Staphylococcus aureus (CA-SA) infections pose a significant threat to infants.
  • Understanding the epidemiology of CA-SA, including methicillin-susceptible (CA-MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (CA-MRSA) strains, is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the trends and characteristics of CA-SA infections in neonates (0-60 days old) over a five-year period.
  • To identify specific clinical manifestations associated with CA-MRSA compared to CA-MSSA.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 179 infant infections (June 2006-June 2011).
  • Analysis of CA-SA isolates, including strain typing (USA300) and antibiotic resistance patterns (clindamycin).
  • Comparison of infection types (abscess/cellulitis vs. others) between CA-MRSA and CA-MSSA.

Main Results:

  • CA-MRSA accounted for 57% of all CA-SA infections.
  • Abscess and cellulitis were significantly more likely to be caused by CA-MRSA (67%) than other infection types (46%).
  • Among isolates, 13% showed clindamycin resistance, and 63% were identified as the USA300 strain.

Conclusions:

  • CA-MRSA, particularly the USA300 strain, is a prevalent cause of S. aureus infections in young infants.
  • Skin and soft tissue infections like abscesses and cellulitis are strongly associated with CA-MRSA.
  • These findings highlight the need for vigilant surveillance and appropriate treatment strategies for CA-SA in neonates.

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